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ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.: U.S. environmentalist laments Washington's focus on war – profits

ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. one America's highest-profile environmental crusaders. Senior attorney Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney Hudson Riverkeeper president Waterkeeper Alliance, he has successfully sued hundreds polluters. third child Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who assassinated on June 5, 1968, he visits trouble spots throughout the Americas, where he celebrity connections help draw attention issues. Some these have been Canada: Clayoquot Sound on west coast Vancouver Island where old-growth forests are being logged, Alberta, where factory farms are causing water pollution. Kennedy recently spoke with environmental journalist Maclean's correspondent Stephen Leahy during vis Toronto.

How you feel about war with Iraq?

America should not go war because wants to. should only go war if has to. If conflicts can solved otherwise, then have an obligation that. I think has done through combination diplomatic skills, political adroitness imagination. I think it's obvious those virtues have been absent lot decision-making recently.

What about United States' move toward unilateralism?

I think that's distressing. We're losing lot qualities make people proud Americans, including moral authority once wielded around world.

Has conflict Middle East taken attention away environmental issues home?

It has made easier large corporations operate without public scrutiny enabled them make deals are scandalous. fossil-fuel industry, other commodity industries, are given much freer rein operate. I'll give you an example. Smithfield Foods, largest pork producer world, invented way raising pigs in large factory farms, which creates huge amounts pollution, impoverishes farmers, distorts markets. By educating public, politicians press other countries, like Poland, we've been able stop Smithfield expanding into those countries. But result of President Bush's efforts bring Poland into coalition against Iraq, $12.5-billion loan guarantee. Attached guarantee were number requirements forced Poland accept U.S. corporate presence – including Smithfield.

How would you characterize current U.S. administration's approach environmental issues?

President Bush has secret war against environment. stealth attack. He's now eviscerating America's environmental laws. He has 100 proposed rollbacks environmental regulations that, even if just portion goes through, time next year will have federal environmental laws. That's not an exaggeration. These laws are being passed below radar screen. They're being attached large budget bills must passed so there's public debate Congress elsewhere.

If you talk American people – polling shows – around 75 per cent, Democrats Republicans alike, support stronger environmental laws. Only seven per cent say need laws weakened. But it's those seven per cent have influence with administration. Those are people oil, chemical and pharmaceutical industries real estate developers. President Bush worst environmental president past 100 years.

Do you see same trends Canada?

There's same impulse Canada devolution responsibility regulation corporate control. However, it's refreshing come Canada because there's strong ethical commitment clean environment. And there's an understanding environment nature are part infrastructure community. But both countries have same fundamental problem: have large corporations trying treat natural resources if were businesses liquidation.

What's wrong with corporations making profit? That's what powers economies.

I believe free-market capitalism. But true free-market economy you can't make yourself rich without making your neighbour rich. You show me polluter I'll show you someone who's imposing costs production on public. Eastern Canadian lakes are contaminated with mercury your forests are acidified. That's result coal-burning power plants Ohio Valley. Those impacts pose costs on people Canada should, true free-market economy, reflected price electricity generated those plants. If those plants had pay true cost bringing their product market they would shift natural gas other less-polluting counterparts. We ought force polluters absorb true costs doing business. Not doing so distorts free enterprise.

What's one big coming environmental issues?

Water major issue next decade, particularly Canada, which has highest percentage fresh water world. will huge demands made on Canada's water resources, not only Canadian industry but U.S. elsewhere. U.S. would like divert those water resources obtain economic benefits outside their watersheds places like Great Lakes Western Canada.

You've expressed opposition Newfoundland power company called Fortis Inc. its proposal build hydro dam on Macal River Belize. What's issue here?

I've been Upper Macal River it's one most extraordinary ecosystems I've ever seen. It's last intact rainforest watershed Central America. hasn't been disturbed since ancient Maya. It's where last major rookery scarlet macaw, of Belize probably Central America.

There are 13 species animals will probably go extinct Central America if dam constructed. proposed dam will only supply something like 2.9 megawatts power – about enough just power three small hotels. It's an extremely small amount energy sacrifice these extraordinary resources for.

Why should dam concern Canadians?

The Canadian International Development Agency provided funds geological testing underpins environmental impact assessment requested Belize government. But studies actually show geology area fractured shale sandstone, which highly likely rupture fail if dam constructed there.

But won't new dam benef Belize?

In terms economics, project makes sense. Belize has population only 250,000 people, if dam constructed, will impoverish these people 50 years more. We are concerned Canadian government CIDA have given legitimacy deal most courts would rule unconscionable.

Belize democratic country – why would participate project won't benef its citizens?

There an imbalance power when large multinational corporation comes into very poor country like Belize makes deals with government officials impoverish an entire nation. worst face globalization.